Hatch cover



U. S. l. NORDH HATCH COVER Filed Dec.

FIG. 3

March 4, 1969 A w F FIG. 2

n r I p I I I I a I I I I I r I n a m u a 0 n m" m n ll I 4 n I I I i I i I I I I I i r,

V/IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII I United States Patent 7 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE In a hatch cover comprising four sections adapted to be folded together pairwise, the first pair of sections is hingedly connected to the coaming, whereas the second pair is hingedly connected to a pair of beams, which are adapted to run parallel to the sections of the first pair. Each beam iscomposed of two hingedly interconnected parts and means are provided to lock, at will, the beams and the sections in the first pair together in such a manner that any pair of sections can be opened and closed independently of the other pair, or both pairs be moved simultaneously.

Background of the invention The sections of a hatch cover may be interconnected and moved towards one or two opposite sides of the hatch opening to uncover the same. On many occasions it is desirable to have access to a certain part of the opening only, and in order to do so it is necessary to move all sections, or to provide means to disengage the connec tion between the pertaining sections, A diversified opening is especially diflicult in a hatch cover, comprising four sections adapted to be folded together pairwise. The first pair of these sections is usually hingedly connected to a transverse side of the coaming surrounding the hatch opening, but the second pair would rest in an uncontrollable posittion if the connection to the first pair was interrupted.

Summary of th invention The second pair of sections is now according to the invention hingedly connected to a pair of beams extending from the same side of the coaming, to which the first pair is connected. Each of said beams is com osed of two hingedly interconnected parts arranged to be folded in the same manner as the sections in the first pair, and means are provided to releasably lock the beams and the sections of the first pair together.

Brief description of the drawing FIGURE 1 shows an elevation of the hatch cover with the first pair partly raised,

FIGURE 2 shows the same cover with both pairs partly raised,

FIGURE 3 shows a plan of a hydraulic system for operating the sections, and

FIGURE 4 shows a detail section along line IVIV in FIGURE 3.

The hatch opening is surrounded by a coaming and is adapted to be closed by four sections 11, 12, 13 and 14. Sections 11 and 12 are interconnected by a hydraulic power hinge 15 to form a first pair of sections, which by means of further hinges 16 are connected to the coaming 10. Sections 13 and 14 are likewise interconnected by a power hinge 17 to form a second pair of sections.

From the transverse side of the coaming where the hinges 13 are arranged two beams, each composed of two parts 18, 19, extend parallel to the sections 11 and 12. One end of each beam is connected to the coaming by means of hinges 20, having the same axis as hinges 16.

3,430,675 Patented Mar. 4, 1969 The expression transverse is here referred to the hatch opening and must not necessarily mean that this side is arranged transversely in the ship.

The axis of the hinge 21 interconnecting the two parts of the beam is the same as that of power hinge 15. The second pair of sections 13, 14 is connected to said beams by means of further hinges 22. The beams may rest in straight position on the coaming, or they may be folded together with the sections of the first pair.

As shown in FIGURE 2 the end of each beam adjacent to hinge 22 is provided with a wheel 23. The fourth section 14 is in the usual manner provided with wheels 24, and when all sections are moved together wheels 23 and 24 cooperate with tracks on the longitudinal sides of the coaming in a manner well known per se.

The first pair of sections are independent of the beams, but may be locked thereto. As shown in FIGURE 1 section 12 is provided with wheels 25, which operate on tracks on the beams in such a manner that the first pair of sections may be opened independently of the second pair. It is thus possible to have access to the left or to the right part of the opening (as seen in the drawing) or to make the opening completely free. The supply pipes for the power hinge 17 are connected in the hollow beams 19, and the manoeuvring system for the second pair is thus independent of any movement of the first pair.

The system for operating the sections is shown in FIG- URE 3 and includes a hydraulic, reversible pump 26 driven in any suitable manner. This is connected to a receptacle 27 for hydraulic fluid and supplies pressure fiuid through a pipe-work containing two main lines 28 and 29, which alternatively will serve as supply and return conduits, depending on the direction of rotation of the pump. A first valve 30 is provided to operate power hinge 15 and a second valve 31 to operate power hinge 17.

A third valve 32 controls the supply of fluid to a num ber of locking members 33 built into the sections 11 and 12 for locking the same in relation to the beams. As will be best seen in FIGURE 4 each locking device consists of a cylinder 34 in which a piston 35 having a rod 36 is enclosed. When the piston is subjected to fluid pressure through a conduit 37, the rod 36 is pushed outwards and passes through openings 38 and 39, respectively, arranged in juxtaposed parts of the sections and the beams. When the fluid pressure is released a spring '40 withdraws the rod from said openings, and the first pair may be moved independently of the beams.

The beams fit into recesses at the longitudinal sides of the sections and FIGURE 4 also shows how the wheels 25 will cooperate with the outer sides of the beam. The valves 30, 31 and 32 may be interconnected to be moved simultaneously, when the opening is to be completely uncovered. With broad covers it may be found advantageous to have one or more further hinges 42 to interconnect the transverse edges of sections 12 and 13. The pin 43 of this hinge is normally retracted in the same manner as the rod 36 of the locking devices 33 and may be brought into action simultaneously with these by means of a similar device 44.

The manner of operating the cover sections form no vital part of the invention. Instead of power hinges any type of straight jacks working at right angles to the hinge axis may be utilized, and of course any type of mechanical mechanism may be applied. The locking devices may be located in the beams and may contain manually operated members for individual setting of the locking devices.

I claim:

1. A hatch cover comprising four sections adapted to be folded together pairwise, in which a first pair of sections is hingedly connected to a transverse side of a coaming surrounding the hatch opening,

a pair of beams extending from said transverse side of the coaming, parallel to said first pair of sections, each of said beams being composed of two hingedly interconnected parts arranged to be folded in the same manner as the sections in the first pair,

means to hingedly connect the second pair of sections to the end of said beams, and

means to releasably lock the beams and the sections of the first beam together.

2. A hatch cover according to claim 1, in which the beams are hingedly connected to said transverse side of. the coaming.

3. A hatch cover according to claim 1 in which each beam is arranged to fit into recesses provided in the juxtaposed sections of the first pair.

4. A hatch cover according to claim 1 including remotely controlled devices for operating the locking means.

5. A hatch cover according to claim 4 including pressure medium operated devices for manoeuvring the hatch covers and the locking devices, respectively, each of said devices having a remote control apparatus for individual control.

6. A hatch cover according to claim 5 in which the beams are hollow and the pressure medium supply pipes -for the second pair of sections are enclosed in said beams.

7. A hatch cover according to claim 4 including hinge means between the second section of the first pair and the first section of the second pair, said hinge means having a retractable pin operated by the pressure medium simultaneously with the locking means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,196,932 7/1965 Rosendahl 160188 3,369,590 2/1968 Olsson 160-188 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,032,789 6/ 1966 Great Britain.

PETER M. CAUN, Primary Examiner. 

